Murray, Jokic help Nuggets hold off Pelicans 122-113

DENVER (AP)— Jamal Murray is locked in right now — with his shot, with hisswagger and especially with his confidence in his team.

“It’s funto play basketball,” the Denver point guard said. “But we stillhave room to improve. We’re not satisfied with where we’re at.”

Murrayscored 32 points, Nikola Jokic got his 16th triple-double of theseason and the Western Conference-leading Nuggets held off thereeling New Orleans Pelicans 122-113 on Tuesday night.

Murray madea season-high seven 3-pointers to give him 771 for his career andmove him past J.R. Smith for second place on the franchise list.He’s just 33 away from matching Will Barton for the top spot.

“I’ll getthat in three games,” cracked Murray.

See,swagger.

His smoothjumper was so in rhythm early in the game Tuesday that Nuggetscoach Michael Malone didn’t want to take him out. Malone didn’t,either, until later than usual.

“I don’twant to be the guy that puts the fire out,” said Malone, whose teamtrailed by 12 in the second quarter before closing the gap to 60-57at halftime and taking control in the third. “Jamal was really,really good in all areas of the game tonight.”

Ditto forJokic, who finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists asthe Nuggets improved to 16-0 when he has a triple-double.

“I’m happyas long as we are winning games and the players are happy aroundme,” Jokic said.

CJ McCollumand Herbert Jones both scored 21 points for the Pelicans, who havedropped nine straight games. They finished 3-13 in January.

Part of thereason for the slide has been the absence of standout ZionWilliamson, who has missed 15 games in a row with a hamstringinjury.

“We’ve gotto keep our heads down and keep working,” coach Willie Green said.“It’s hard to win in the NBA. We’re seeing that. There was somebeauty in what I saw tonight. ... We’re right there, but we have tosustain it for 48 minutes.”

The Nuggetsled by 13 early in the fourth quarter only to see the Pelicans cutit to five on several occasions, including a layup by Jones withless than a minute remaining. Murray and Jokic each converted apair of free throws down the stretch to help Denver fend off NewOrleans and move to 23-4 at home.

Jokic,who’s been dealing with tightness in his left hamstring, hadanother efficient shooting performance in going 10 of 14 from thefloor. It was the 92nd triple-double of his career.

“He waspretty dominant across the board,” Green said.

TIP-INS

Pelicans:Williamson is steadily progressing from a strained hamstring,according to Green. “It’s something we don’t want to rush, butwe’re definitely excited to see him on the floor,” he said. ...Brandon Ingram finished with 16 points and nine assists. ... LarryNance Jr. scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Nuggets:Rookie guard Collin Gillespie (broken right leg) has been clearedfor shooting and light running. “We’re not putting any pressure ora rush on him,” Malone said. ... Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and AaronGordon each had 15 points.

TRADE TALK

Nuggetsguard Bones Hyland was limited to 4:43 and scored two points. Hisname has been mentioned in trade speculation.

Asked wherehe stands with Hyland, Malone responded: “I stand with Bones. Bonesis on our team.”

RISING STARS

Hyland wasselected to the NBA’s Jordan Rising Stars Challenge. So werePelicans guard Jose Alvarado and forward Trey Murphy III. Themini-tournament will take place on Feb. 17 in Salt Lake City aspart of All-Star weekend.